Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have increased the onslaught against oil bunkering operations across the Niger Delta region, with the recovery of over 1.2 litres of stolen products.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, made the disclosure in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday.
Danjuma said the operations which were conducted from November 25 to December 1, 2024, led to the deactivation of over 56 illegal oil bunkering sanctuaries, 88 cooking drums, 20 boats as well as the recovery of over 1.2 million litres of stolen crude.
He said other achievements recorded within the period under review included the arrest of 17 suspected oil thieves, interception of seven vehicles, discovery of six illegal connection points and destruction of five motorcycles used for perpetrating economic sabotage across the region.
According to the 6 Division acting Deputy Director, APR, the operations were carried out in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers States.
He said: “In Rivers State, around Kula I, general area in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops discovered one illegal connection on 36 inches Government pipeline, with three inches hose connected on it, used as a loading point by oil thieves. This was in addition to a ground reservoir of 80 by 80 tarpaulin stocked with over 100,000 litres of stolen products recovered during the operations.
“The operation was also extended to Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, where an abandoned truck ladened with 35,000 litres of stolen crude stocked in a fabricated tank and concealed with bags of sawdust was uncovered.
“Relatedly, around Bakana and Buguma general area in Degema LGA, eight illegal refining sites with over 27,000 litres of stolen crude were confiscated.
“Three wooden boats, one fibre speed boat, several pots of different sizes, two receiver containing AGO and a local boat with over 12,000 litres of stolen were intercepted. The operation also led to the arrest of three suspected oil thieves in connection to the economic sabotage.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, has commended the soldiers for the huge operational successes recorded in the region.
He reassured that the ongoing onslaught against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta would be sustained.
The GOC averred that the resolve to sustain the fight against oil sabotage is aimed at securing all critical national infrastructures within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
